Football expectations

[Maverick91]

I am wondering where you folks sit right now post Golden Buzzard win pre Arizona State game.

Also, I assume if we lose this weekend everyone will go back to 3-4 wins this years. But, if we win does that change at all your expectations?

For me, I always saw us being able to hit 6-6 with a little luck, so that's my floor. If we beat Arizona State I'm not going to go crazy but I think that moves the needle to 7 possibly 8 wins with a lot of luck.

I just wasn't very impressed this past weekend with our opponents. I know it's week one and all, but yeah.

What you got?

[Political Hack]

I was in the "this could be a 3 win season or a 6 win season" and now I'm in the "this could be a "5 win season or a 7 win season" bucket. So yeah... I was budged slightly north. We look much improved.

I actually think Huff did a good job with USM. We're just bigger faster stronger than them.

[bulldawg28]

Bowl game always the expectation.

[DownwardDawg]

Bowl game always the expectation.

This.

[Pancho]

gotta shoot for 6 but I figure 4 or 5 will be tops. this is with a much better roster than last year

[StarkVegasSteve]

I said we'd get to 6-6 at the beginning of the year and I'm not going to budge off that. Even with a win against AZ State it's going to be very hard to get to 6.

[parabrave]

I picked 5-7 or better,

[JimBobDawg]

I said 7 was a possibility a few weeks ago. I?m sticking with it.

[TrapGame]

Last year that Southern Miss team would have beat us. Our defense was putrid. We have improved on defense a good deal. If we can beat Arizona State then we have a good shot at 6 wins, maybe 7 if the stars align just right.

[Tater]

A win this weekend moves it from 3-6 wins to 6-10 wins. It should massively alter our perception of this team.

ASU is the third highest ranked team on our schedule. If they're truly in play - then so are at least 9 others.

I'm not saying if we win this weekend we'll be 10-2. I'm just pointing out the level of perceived competition we have.

Vegas implying we have a 33% chance is something.

[R2Dawg]

6-7 I expect to go bowling this year and I expect to win this weekend.

[Todd4State]

I feel about the same as I have since the preseason. I expected us to beat USM like 41-17 and my guess was pretty close. You could make an argument that we were better than I expected given USM's garbage time TD and the fact that we pretty much dominated them on offense and were some silly penalties away from 50+.

Nonetheless, the penalties need to be addressed if we are going to meet my 6-6 expectation.

[Goldendawg]

This game Saturday night will set the tone on our wins and home attendance for future games in 2025. We need this win very badly for the present and future of our program. Hail State!

[Hot Rock]

I am a little more encouraged for sure but I am not in the we going bowling camp just yet. Beat ASU and we got a shot to go bowling.

[BorneDawg]

This game Saturday night will set the tone on our wins and home attendance for future games in 2025. We need this win very badly for the present and future of our program. Hail State!

We need it to be packed and ELECTRIC sat night!!

[gtowndawg]

This game Saturday night will set the tone on our wins and home attendance for future games in 2025. We need this win very badly for the present and future of our program. Hail State!

Perfectly said. I will be there and I'm bringing 7 others with me (3 of which have never been to State in their life).

[smootness]

A win this weekend moves it from 3-6 wins to 6-10 wins. It should massively alter our perception of this team.

ASU is the third highest ranked team on our schedule. If they're truly in play - then so are at least 9 others.

I'm not saying if we win this weekend we'll be 10-2. I'm just pointing out the level of perceived competition we have.

Vegas implying we have a 33% chance is something.

We have a less than zero shot at 10 wins. If we beat ASU, it almost certainly means they are worse than last year and worse than their ranking.

[Homedawg]

A win this weekend moves it from 3-6 wins to 6-10 wins. It should massively alter our perception of this team.

ASU is the third highest ranked team on our schedule. If they're truly in play - then so are at least 9 others.

I'm not saying if we win this weekend we'll be 10-2. I'm just pointing out the level of perceived competition we have.

Vegas implying we have a 33% chance is something.

6-10. What are you drinking. This team has zero shot to win 8 games. Much less 10

[msstate7]

I'm hoping for 6. This week is a must to get there.

[Tbonewannabe]

We win and I think we have a shot at 7 wins. Right now I am in the 4-6 win possibility.

I think we are drastically improved but unfortunately we have one of the toughest schedules in the country much less the SEC.

Having our toss up games almost all on the road makes for a tough season.

[starkvegasdawg]

I was in the "this could be a 3 win season or a 6 win season" and now I'm in the "this could be a "5 win season or a 7 win season" bucket. So yeah... I was budged slightly north. We look much improved.

I actually think Huff did a good job with USM. We're just bigger faster stronger than them.

I want to see us against a team where we aren't bigger, faster, and stronger before I start looking at bowl projections. Having a decided advantage in all of those categories will mask a lot of talent and coaching issues. Even those out and then I want to see how we look. We beat AZ State then I'll say 6-6 is possible.

[Pancho]

I see no way to 6 wins unless AZ State is one of the wins.

[Todd4State]

I want to see us against a team where we aren't bigger, faster, and stronger before I start looking at bowl projections. Having a decided advantage in all of those categories will mask a lot of talent and coaching issues. Even those out and then I want to see how we look. We beat AZ State then I'll say 6-6 is possible.

USM is a lot closer to the Marshall team that was really good last year than they are the USM team of last year. Plus they have a lot of our castoffs like Pittman. I know they are our castoffs but they're still guys with SEC experience.

[bulldawg28]

USM is a lot closer to the Marshall team that was really good last year than they are the USM team of last year. Plus they have a lot of our castoffs like Pittman. I know they are our castoffs but they're still guys with SEC experience.

Exactly, there were 21 transfers from the Marshall team that won the conference championship the year prior. That included the starting Qb

[StarkVegasSteve]

Exactly, there were 21 transfers from the Marshall team that won the conference championship the year prior. That included the starting Qb

But that Marshall team got dirtrolled by any P4 team they played. We can admit that we have improved but still have question marks. Because make no mistake, that team beats us last year. Braxton would've ran for 100+ yards

[bulldawg28]

But that Marshall team got dirtrolled by any P4 team they played. We can admit that we have improved but still have question marks. Because make no mistake, that team beats us last year. Braxton would've ran for 100+ yards

You could tell the coaches held back. However, I'm not saying we're Ohio state good. We're a bowl team if we keep fighting.

[Tater]

ASU is the third highest ranked team on our schedule. If they're truly in play - then so are at least 9 others.

I'm not saying if we win this weekend we'll be 10-2. I'm just pointing out the level of perceived competition we have.



6-10. What are you drinking. This team has zero shot to win 8 games. Much less 10


We have a less than zero shot at 10 wins. If we beat ASU, it almost certainly means they are worse than last year and worse than their ranking.

Jesus christ, it's like you saw the sign, said nope i'm not gonna read it, and said the stupid line anyway.

At least smoot tried to reason against it. So counterpoint. Maybe Texsa, Tenn, Ark, UF, OM, Aggy, Mizz are all worse than last year as well. If ASU can get worse so can these guys. Texsa already showed it. Mizz lost their QB.

But I'm saying if you think we can beat a team perceived as top 12, then you think we could beat a team perceived as top 20. If you think we can win this weekend, then you think any game up to 12th rank is in play. Are we gonna win 10? no. But There are 10 winnable games on the schedule if ASU is winnable. So the range of winnable games if we win this weekend goes from 3-6 to 6-10.

[Pancho]

play 4 qtrs and win the game

[smootness]

Jesus christ, it's like you saw the sign, said nope i'm not gonna read it, and said the stupid line anyway.

At least smoot tried to reason against it. So counterpoint. Maybe Texsa, Tenn, Ark, UF, OM, Aggy, Mizz are all worse than last year as well. If ASU can get worse so can these guys. Texsa already showed it. Mizz lost their QB.

But I'm saying if you think we can beat a team perceived as top 12, then you think we could beat a team perceived as top 20. If you think we can win this weekend, then you think any game up to 12th rank is in play. Are we gonna win 10? no. But There are 10 winnable games on the schedule if ASU is winnable. So the range of winnable games if we win this weekend goes from 3-6 to 6-10.

And I disagree with you. Obviously any game can technically be winnable. But the chances of us winning all our winnable games is essentially 0. And the likelihood of us winning more than 6 is pretty darn close to 0, unless several teams on our schedule are way worse than anyone thinks.

You are assuming ASU is where they should be ranked. If they end up being worse, it does not mean all the teams ranked below them are similarly worse. It just means they are.

We do not know everything about this team. But we know enough to know we are not winning more than, say, 7 in an absolute miracle year. And the chances of winning more than 5 are extremely low.

[Bothrops]

If we lose this weekend my expectation will be about 3-9.

[EdwardDrayton]

Right now, this weekend is only about 3-9 or 4-8. But everything about this game could alter our current perception about how well we do the rest of the season.

[Todd4State]

Right now, this weekend is only about 3-9 or 4-8. But everything about this game could alter our current perception about how well we do the rest of the season.

A win over Arizona State would build a lot of confidence for the players and it could springboard them to more upsets. A good example from the past is our win over Alabama in 1996. That win kind of came out of nowhere and a lot of people thought Bobby Wallace was about to be our head coach before that game. That win really was the one that started our run in the late 1990's and into 2000. That team was going nowhere before that and only really looked impressive against Memphis (State) and Northeast Louisiana (ULM) before that game. And a win is what we badly need right now. Could say the same about the 2009 Egg Bowl and Arkansas and the 2013 Egg Bowl as well. Texas 1991 too.

[Bothrops]

Anybody who says this isn't a must win isn't a Mississippi State fan.

[Tater]

And I disagree with you. Obviously any game can technically be winnable. But the chances of us winning all our winnable games is essentially 0. And the likelihood of us winning more than 6 is pretty darn close to 0, unless several teams on our schedule are way worse than anyone thinks.

You are assuming ASU is where they should be ranked. If they end up being worse, it does not mean all the teams ranked below them are similarly worse. It just means they are.

We do not know everything about this team. But we know enough to know we are not winning more than, say, 7 in an absolute miracle year. And the chances of winning more than 5 are extremely low.

I mean Vegas says we have about a 33% chance of winning this weekend. Let's just say that every team other than tu and Georgia have around the same odds (besides NIU and Alcorn). Even if I say those two other games are 100%, saying all 7 games are as winnable as ASU is me saying we'd have a 0.04% chance (1 in 2500) of winning 10 games. It's not ****in likely but it's a mathematical possibility. If we win this weekend then we're better than most of us think and the range is 6-10 wins.

But to sum it up - you're correcting me saying I'm wrong for saying that if we win a game I don't expect us to win then we're so much better that we have a 1 in 2500 chance of winning 10 games instead of what I currently think which is none. Just so you're very clear that is the position you're arguing against. You're saying I'm wrong for saying that.

[smootness]

I mean Vegas says we have about a 33% chance of winning this weekend. Let's just say that every team other than tu and Georgia have around the same odds (besides NIU and Alcorn). Even if I say those two other games are 100%, saying all 7 games are as winnable as ASU is me saying we'd have a 0.04% chance (1 in 2500) of winning 10 games. It's not ****in likely but it's a mathematical possibility. If we win this weekend then we're better than most of us think and the range is 6-10 wins.

But to sum it up - you're correcting me saying I'm wrong for saying that if we win a game I don't expect us to win then we're so much better that we have a 1 in 2500 chance of winning 10 games instead of what I currently think which is none. Just so you're very clear that is the position you're arguing against. You're saying I'm wrong for saying that.

I am saying your logic is wrong. You are saying if we beat a team perceived to be 12, then we can beat a team perceived to be 20. It does not work that way. Just because ASU is 12 now means nothing, they may stink. And the team ranked 20 now may be great. Beating ASU in game #2 does not mean we can now win 10 games in any universe.

[smootness]

A win over Arizona State would build a lot of confidence for the players and it could springboard them to more upsets. A good example from the past is our win over Alabama in 1996. That win kind of came out of nowhere and a lot of people thought Bobby Wallace was about to be our head coach before that game. That win really was the one that started our run in the late 1990's and into 2000. That team was going nowhere before that and only really looked impressive against Memphis (State) and Northeast Louisiana (ULM) before that game. And a win is what we badly need right now. Could say the same about the 2009 Egg Bowl and Arkansas and the 2013 Egg Bowl as well. Texas 1991 too.

? That win came in game #9, and we lost the next week to a bad Arkansas team. We then beat an equally meh Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl and went 5-6. I am not sure how that game compares to ASU, even if we win it. Unless your point is that an ASU win may still mean we win 4-5 games.

[Todd4State]

? That win came in game #9, and we lost the next week to a bad Arkansas team. We then beat an equally meh Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl and went 5-6. I am not sure how that game compares to ASU, even if we win it. Unless your point is that an ASU win may still mean we win 4-5 games.

It's not just about this season. It's about the seasons after. Our players used that experience and win to help them win a lot of big games after that win in 1996. Like Auburn and Alabama in 1997. And then the multiple big wins in 1998-2000.

Right now our players have nothing to build off of experience wise because the last big win we have had was in 2022.

A win over Arizona State doesn't mean we have turned the corner or are going bowling. But if we win it it's a game our players can look back on and use the experience and confidence from that game to maybe pull off an upset or two this year and then beyond when the schedule is hopefully easier.

And we do have a few SEC games that are in play as far as upsets go. Whether we pull off one or not remains to be seen.

[Tater]

I am saying your logic is wrong. You are saying if we beat a team perceived to be 12, then we can beat a team perceived to be 20. It does not work that way. Just because ASU is 12 now means nothing, they may stink. And the team ranked 20 now may be great. Beating ASU in game #2 does not mean we can now win 10 games in any universe.

When MSU beats someone highly ranked - that team shouldn't have been highly ranked. It's never credit to MSU. That's just MSU fan mentality. Exhausting.

Why is it so inconceivable that rather than being wrong about ASU's place, we're actually wrong about MSU's place?

[smootness]

It's not just about this season. It's about the seasons after. Our players used that experience and win to help them win a lot of big games after that win in 1996. Like Auburn and Alabama in 1997. And then the multiple big wins in 1998-2000.

Right now our players have nothing to build off of experience wise because the last big win we have had was in 2022.

A win over Arizona State doesn't mean we have turned the corner or are going bowling. But if we win it it's a game our players can look back on and use the experience and confidence from that game to maybe pull off an upset or two this year and then beyond when the schedule is hopefully easier.

And we do have a few SEC games that are in play as far as upsets go. Whether we pull off one or not remains to be seen.

That is fine, but most of this discussion has been about what it means for this year.

[smootness]

When MSU beats someone highly ranked - that team shouldn't have been highly ranked. It's never credit to MSU. That's just MSU fan mentality. Exhausting.

Why is it so inconceivable that rather than being wrong about ASU's place, we're actually wrong about MSU's place?

Obviously us beating them does not then determine alone that they are overrated. But we know enough about this team and its talent level, and the possibility that already exists that ASU is ranked too high, that if we beat them that seems fairly likely to be true.

But regardless, again my issue was in the logic. IF they do not end up being as good as the #12 team and we also beat them, it still says absolutely nothing about any other team on our schedule and how good they may or may not be.

[Tater]

Obviously us beating them does not then determine alone that they are overrated. But we know enough about this team and its talent level, and the possibility that already exists that ASU is ranked too high, that if we beat them that seems fairly likely to be true.

But regardless, again my issue was in the logic. IF they do not end up being as good as the #12 team and we also beat them, it still says absolutely nothing about any other team on our schedule and how good they may or may not be.

Why do we definitively know more about teams ranked lower than them that we DO know that if ASU loses to us then those teams are better? Especially when they aren't considered better right now.

Mizz - lost QB
OM - insane amount of talent lost
UF - QB secret injury + coach on the hot seat and could be on the outs by the time we play them
Ark - lame duck coach
Aggy - Aggy
Tenn - new QB and roster turnover enough that they're fringe top 25

All these other guys have serious questions about them. If we beat ASU tomorrow - which of these teams is still "out of play" for you?

[smootness]

Why do we definitively know more about teams ranked lower than them that we DO know that if ASU loses to us then those teams are better? Especially when they aren't considered better right now.

Mizz - lost QB
OM - insane amount of talent lost
UF - QB secret injury + coach on the hot seat and could be on the outs by the time we play them
Ark - lame duck coach
Aggy - Aggy
Tenn - new QB and roster turnover enough that they're fringe top 25

All these other guys have serious questions about them. If we beat ASU tomorrow - which of these teams is still "out of play" for you?

We do not know more about them. My point is almost that exactly. Beating ASU would not mean they are overrated. But knowing what we know about us, there is at least a decent chance it would mean that.

I will simply say this - almost every team you listed absolutely thinks they will beat us easily. Does not mean they will, but we have no reason at this point to believe we will be super competitive in a lot of those games. Beating ASU may mean we have a better chance, or it may not. And there is a sizeable gap between us and most of those teams. So even if we close that gap, it likely will not be enough in most of those games. We were terrible last year.

[Dawgface]

NC or bust.

[Tater]

We do not know more about them. My point is almost that exactly. Beating ASU would not mean they are overrated. But knowing what we know about us, there is at least a decent chance it would mean that.

I will simply say this - almost every team you listed absolutely thinks they will beat us easily. Does not mean they will, but we have no reason at this point to believe we will be super competitive in a lot of those games. Beating ASU may mean we have a better chance, or it may not. And there is a sizeable gap between us and most of those teams. So even if we close that gap, it likely will not be enough in most of those games. We were terrible last year.

So none of the games are off the table? So there's a chance at all 10 games not vs. tu / UGA? It's unlikely but the range is 3-10 and a loss to ASU knocks the range to 3-6 while a win inspires confidence and makes the range 6-10 where 4 or 5 wins would take a collapse.

[smootness]

So none of the games are off the table? So there's a chance at all 10 games not vs. tu / UGA? It's unlikely but the range is 3-10 and a loss to ASU knocks the range to 3-6 while a win inspires confidence and makes the range 6-10 where 4 or 5 wins would take a collapse.

Saying you technically have a chance in a certain number of games is not the same as saying you could win them all. Yes, mathematically, there may officially be an infinitesimally small chance. But in reality, the chance of beating every team against whom you are a solid underdog is never going to happen.

Our absolute, pie in the sky, ceiling is likely 7-8 games. And that is extremely unlikely.

[bulldawg28]

NC or bust.

That's it!!!!

[Goldendawg]

IF, a big IF, we beat AZ State tonight 6-6 floor and 7-5 if all cards possible fall our way. Lose tonight 3-9, 0-8 again. Then time to end our decades old experiment expecting different results year after year (except Tyler and Mullen) and stop hiring OTJ training Assistant Coaches to be our HC. Get off the pocket book like we did in baseball and $ign an established, known, winning HC from some college level and show we are serious about winning football.

[Tater]

10 wins in play. BT and Evans can burn anybody in the country.

[Tater]

I'll go one further. Texsa is in play. Arch doesn't move me. 11 winnable games.

[Maverick91]

I'll go one further. Texsa is in play. Arch doesn't move me. 11 winnable games.

I love you!

[DEDawg]

I think we can be 6-5 going into Ole Miss

[Tater]

I love you!

And i love you too, random citizen!

[Tater]

I think we can be 6-5 going into Ole Miss

Florida looks very winnable. High chance our game vs. them is Sun Belt Billy's last. They could be 1-5 by the time we go to the swamp. I'm excited that I picked that as my road game for the year.

Didn't learn anything about Tenn. Ark might put up fight. OM looked worse and Simmons banged up. Arch is mid narrative is starting to spread - even his TD throws were unimpressive yesterday. Aggy struggled.

Mizzou might be good. Backup QB didn't slow them down.

I'm amending it to say 6-11 is our range. Georgia did look sloppy too but it's too much jimmies and joes there.

[Todd4State]

Florida looks very winnable. High chance our game vs. them is Sun Belt Billy's last. They could be 1-5 by the time we go to the swamp. I'm excited that I picked that as my road game for the year.

Didn't learn anything about Tenn. Ark might put up fight. OM looked worse and Simmons banged up. Arch is mid narrative is starting to spread - even his TD throws were unimpressive yesterday. Aggy struggled.

Mizzou might be good. Backup QB didn't slow them down.

I'm amending it to say 6-11 is our range. Georgia did look sloppy too but it's too much jimmies and joes there.

Too soon to know in much of anything. But my early guess on Tennessee is they appear strong on offense and weaker on defense.

I actually feel worse about that game but feel better about Florida.

[parabrave]

Too soon to know in much of anything. But my early guess on Tennessee is they appear strong on offense and weaker on defense.

I actually feel worse about that game but feel better about Florida.

If Tenn beats UGA then they are the fav to win the SEC. Sorry Tigah fans but even though your d is tremendous your offense stinks.

[Todd4State]

If Tenn beats UGA then they are the fav to win the SEC. Sorry Tigah fans but even though your d is tremendous your offense stinks.

I completely agree with you on that. Nussmeir has always been hot/cold it seems like. They probably overlooked La Tech too.

[StarkVegasSteve]

So as I figured, we would win and everyone would start changing their expectations and saying 9-3 is out there. It's not. I have been pretty steadfast that 8-4 was our absolute we get every break ceiling.

Alcorn-W. Never a doubt

NIU-I am really glad this comes after Alcorn and not after ASU. This could've had the makings of a let down game. However, we also took some of their best players so not worried.

Tenn-This one is going to be tough. There's no way around it. Defense is going to have to come to play. They're going to be ready for the shot plays we run because Heupel and Lebby were together at UCF and formulated their version of the Veer and Shoot. Our run game is going to have to step up in that one.

@A&M-Our D will be up for this one because of Craver. If Reed is out, we have a shot. If he's not he's going to give us trouble.

@Florida-Yea it could be Billy's last stand and whatnot, but it's still The Swamp. It's still a really tough place to win.

Texas-Arch doesn't look great, and I honestly think he may be injured, but it's still Texas and they're still going to be favored. We're going to have to play extremely well to be in that one.

@Arky-As Green goes, so does their offense. We're going to have to be extremely sound and keep contain. On the road, I'm not real sure about our chances.

UGA-They honestly haven't impressed me and I see this game as a lot more winnable than Texas. Now, my tune could change depending on the Tennessee game this weekend but nothing they've done has made me think they are better than last year.

@Mizzou-This one is going to be tough. That offense is really good now. Pribula has looked better than advertised and they are really able to move the ball. Don't like our chances on the road.

OM-This one is as gettable as they have been since 2022. Simmons is struggling and I don't know that Kiffin can scheme him to not make mistakes. Their line is also REALLY shaky. And if it's shaky to start the season, then think what it'll be by game 12.


So just looking at that, I still say 7-5 is probably the best we can hope for unless Reed is out and the wheels just completely come off in Gainesville. And look, going from 2-10 to 7-5 would be a MASSIVE statement. Lebby would win COTY in the conference and probably the country.

[Hot Rock]

I am in the week by week mode. ASU was a great win for State and it's good we have Alcorn next and then NIU before TN & AM.

Then it's good we get a bye week to lick our wounds and even better we have a buy week before the Egg Bowl. I can't really look that far ahead until I see how healthy we get these next two weeks and that they keep getting better.

4-0 going into TN is expected but beyond that, I really don't know how good State can become. They have to get better to win more games but they can do that.

[Tater]

So as I figured, we would win and everyone would start changing their expectations and saying 9-3 is out there. It's not. I have been pretty steadfast that 8-4 was our absolute we get every break ceiling.

Alcorn-W. Never a doubt

NIU-I am really glad this comes after Alcorn and not after ASU. This could've had the makings of a let down game. However, we also took some of their best players so not worried.

Tenn-This one is going to be tough. There's no way around it. Defense is going to have to come to play. They're going to be ready for the shot plays we run because Heupel and Lebby were together at UCF and formulated their version of the Veer and Shoot. Our run game is going to have to step up in that one.

@A&M-Our D will be up for this one because of Craver. If Reed is out, we have a shot. If he's not he's going to give us trouble.

@Florida-Yea it could be Billy's last stand and whatnot, but it's still The Swamp. It's still a really tough place to win.

Texas-Arch doesn't look great, and I honestly think he may be injured, but it's still Texas and they're still going to be favored. We're going to have to play extremely well to be in that one.

@Arky-As Green goes, so does their offense. We're going to have to be extremely sound and keep contain. On the road, I'm not real sure about our chances.

UGA-They honestly haven't impressed me and I see this game as a lot more winnable than Texas. Now, my tune could change depending on the Tennessee game this weekend but nothing they've done has made me think they are better than last year.

@Mizzou-This one is going to be tough. That offense is really good now. Pribula has looked better than advertised and they are really able to move the ball. Don't like our chances on the road.

OM-This one is as gettable as they have been since 2022. Simmons is struggling and I don't know that Kiffin can scheme him to not make mistakes. Their line is also REALLY shaky. And if it's shaky to start the season, then think what it'll be by game 12.


So just looking at that, I still say 7-5 is probably the best we can hope for unless Reed is out and the wheels just completely come off in Gainesville. And look, going from 2-10 to 7-5 would be a MASSIVE statement. Lebby would win COTY in the conference and probably the country.

11-1 is the "everything possible breaks right" record.

In order of difficulty from easiest to hardest

Alcorn - take care of business
NIU - take care of business
Florida - I think they're going to be dejected and with the bye week after our game - I think Napier is fired regardless of outcome.
OM - Egg Bowl at home. Simmons stinks. They're missing a lot from last year.
A&M - Injured QB + Aggy struggles with us. They don't move me much rn.
Arky - It being on the road has it higher than Aggy. I'm unsure where they are in relation to OM, but there's a real chance of them going 2-10 / 3-9. Losses to OM and Memphis could spiral them downward.
Mizz - Look to be fine with the backup QB.
Tenn - I'm close to putting this one as harder than Texsa. But I don't know if the syracuse win was that good. Major litmus test and the cowbells will be worth at least a TD this game. So mad I committed to Packers @ Cowboys and Texas State fair that weekend.
Texsa - Arch is beatable. There's a reason he sat behind a 7th rounder for two years.
Georgia - They've been sleepwalking. They'll be awake by the time we play.

Looking at that, 8-4 is an optimistic view. I think this team can get to 6 pretty easily. 10/11 wins is pie in the sky, but all those games are winnable. I don't think Georgia is. They won't get burned at DB so easily.

Who knows. At least there is hope again for the program.

[BrunswickDawg]

11-1 is the "everything possible breaks right" record.

In order of difficulty from easiest to hardest

Alcorn - take care of business
NIU - take care of business
Florida - I think they're going to be dejected and with the bye week after our game - I think Napier is fired regardless of outcome.
OM - Egg Bowl at home. Simmons stinks. They're missing a lot from last year.
A&M - Injured QB + Aggy struggles with us. They don't move me much rn.
Arky - It being on the road has it higher than Aggy. I'm unsure where they are in relation to OM, but there's a real chance of them going 2-10 / 3-9. Losses to OM and Memphis could spiral them downward.
Mizz - Look to be fine with the backup QB.
Tenn - I'm close to putting this one as harder than Texsa. But I don't know if the syracuse win was that good. Major litmus test and the cowbells will be worth at least a TD this game. So mad I committed to Packers @ Cowboys and Texas State fair that weekend.
Texsa - Arch is beatable. There's a reason he sat behind a 7th rounder for two years.
Georgia - They've been sleepwalking. They'll be awake by the time we play.

Looking at that, 8-4 is an optimistic view. I think this team can get to 6 pretty easily. 10/11 wins is pie in the sky, but all those games are winnable. I don't think Georgia is. They won't get burned at DB so easily.

Who knows. At least there is hope again for the program.

In the realm of "everything is possible".....

We are a possible trap game for UGA. They will be coming off of an easy beat down at the Cocktail Party and looking ahead to big match up with Texas.
And I'll be in attendance - and that's always a wildcard LOL

[Tater]

In the realm of "everything is possible".....

We are a possible trap game for UGA. They will be coming off of an easy beat down at the Cocktail Party and looking ahead to big match up with Texas.
And I'll be in attendance - and that's always a wildcard LOL

Hey if they lose to Tenn then I'll say 12 winnable game. Or if we beat Tenn then I'll say 12 winnable games. I'm slow rolling the optimism as much as I can. But it's nice to be hopeful for Mississippi State football again.

[Tater]

Tennessee's top two corners are out again this week vs. Georgia and sound to both still be out indefinitely. Would be a huge boon to not play them. Could make our game a track meet.

[CaptainObvious]

6-6 and a trip to Birmingham! And y'all better be extremely excited about going to The Iron City and enjoying the Dogs in a Bowl Game!!!

[Tater]

6-6 and a trip to Birmingham! And y'all better be extremely excited about going to The Iron City and enjoying the Dogs in a Bowl Game!!!

Wins over Alcorn, NIU, Florida and OM make this season a success. Everything else is gravy. But man... I love gravy.

[Coursesuper]

6-6 and a trip to Birmingham! And y'all better be extremely excited about going to The Iron City and enjoying the Dogs in a Bowl Game!!!
Me and mine would definitely be on board for that.

[Tater]

Bump

[Maverick91]

Bump

If we win this weekend, clean up penalties, and make it out healthy. I will bump up mine from 5-7 wins to 7-9 wins. CALL ME CRAZY but dang I'm tired of being pessifreakingmistic

[TrapGame]

If we win this weekend, clean up penalties, and make it out healthy. I will bump up mine from 5-7 wins to 7-9 wins. CALL ME CRAZY but dang I'm tired of being pessifreakingmistic

If we beat A&M in College Station this weekend we will finish 9-3. Lebby will get COTY.

[Cowbeller]

Playoff is the expectation now. Time for the fans to buy in to that bc the team has and it shows

[Tater]

If we win this weekend, clean up penalties, and make it out healthy. I will bump up mine from 5-7 wins to 7-9 wins. CALL ME CRAZY but dang I'm tired of being pessifreakingmistic

The 9-3 path is there.

Win one of Tenn / UGA / Texsa. We barely missed on Tennessee. This is totally attainable.
Win one of @ Aggy / @ Mizz. The injuries this week scare me. But Aggy plays to their competition. We've snuck out with victories before. We have their number. This is totally plausible.
Win both @ UF / @ Ark. As I said earlier this year - these games look more and more gettable.

Then... Egg Bowl is a playoff play-in game. With our SOS we're in at 9-3.

[Maverick91]

The 9-3 path is there.

Win one of Tenn / UGA / Texsa. We barely missed on Tennessee. This is totally attainable.
Win one of @ Aggy / @ Mizz. The injuries this week scare me. But Aggy plays to their competition. We've snuck out with victories before. We have their number. This is totally plausible.
Win both @ UF / @ Ark. As I said earlier this year - these games look more and more gettable.

Then... Egg Bowl is a playoff play-in game. With our SOS we're in at 9-3.

Can't disagree. The boys just gotta get it done.